After the massive hit of Justin Bieber’s feature to Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito”, Latino music has spread worldwide and brought in a surge of international listeners. With artists that celebrate their roots by reflecting it in their music, such as Camila Cabello with “Havana” or Demi Lovato’s “Echame la Culpa,” Latin rhythms have seen a progressive influence in the international music market.
If we take a look at the June 23 weekly list of top 100 hit songs of all genres, which is ranked by radio and streaming activity, Cardi B’s “I Like it” is on third place, a song in collaboration with hit reggaeton stars Bad Bunny and J Balvin.
But aside from mainstream Latino artists, there are also musicians in the local community that celebrate their roots by fusing it with different and foreign genres. In this way, the artists can share their traditions with the world, and at the same time, integrate more modern elements like pop and funk to cater to a broader audience.
Sonido Gallo Negro is an example of these Latin fusion bands. Originated in Mexico City, their sounds are based on “tropical music,” such as the cumbia mixed with garage rock and neo-psychedelia.
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The band has been performing in various Chicago festivals, including LatiNxt, a music festival that took place on a stage by Lake Michigan at Navy Pier, a renowned hotspot for tourists from all over.
“We loved playing here. Especially when the people that got here loved it and danced to our music,” the band said.
“We aim to attract more people in the future. I think (playing here) today was a big success (by) having the attention of this sector, and we’re always going for more,” the band said.
"It’s really gratifying to be able to open our horizons and be able to bring more of our music to our Mexican people here, and everybody in general.”
Even though the audience was predominantly Latino, there was a great diversity of races and ethnicities strolling through Navy Pier, exposing the band's unique sounds to new audiences.
“This is a place where a lot of people from different places and cultures get together,” said Angel Barrera, one of the people that attended the concert.
“Being able to hear bands like Sonido Gallo negro for free, opens the possibility for a wider public to listen to their music and thus cultivating their music in new cultures, not only in South America,” Barrera added.
Another member of the audience, Pabel Jimenez, 38, said that exposing the music in international environments was "of great help because Chicago, being a multicultural city, can help foster acceptance of each other and regenerate our way of thinking."
Jimenez said that Sonido Gallo Negro really takes in their roots, from the culture of the cumbia and the 'guapachosa' from México. Apart from being a new exponent, the band also brings old things that the newer generations didn’t get to experience, and he says that young people should know what their cultural music sounds like.
“Music is a universal language. Rhythm and melody surpass the borders between language and culture. It’s more a matter of feeling, and it awakens the curiosity for other types of cultures. It’s always fun to see how other cultures enjoy and dance to music from other cultures,” said Diego Ávila, from Distrito Federal, Mexico, another audience member.
